Wonder what kind of turnout they're expecting for FFXIV ARR. New subscription-based MMOs really haven't been having a great track record. DCUO and TOR both didn't do too hot. I have no idea how DQX did though.

Spending less money and shortening development cycles is the exact thing Square needs to do and has needed to do for a very long time now.

Absolutely agreed. They need to play it safe for a time until they're in a more secure financial position. I may not enjoy iOS games, but I can understand their decision.

That said, game development is not SE's only money-maker, they publish western games in Japan, as well as manga and anime, and create figurines, collectable card games and VNs (in the "game category, but I can't think of a single VN from SE that has a western release, so...) as well. They also have merchandising, like soundtrack CDs and concerts. SE as a brand is much, much larger than their games.

FFXI is also still a solid money-maker for them, even after ~12 years. That's impressive in itself. I think if they can get ARR out, and it's decent, they'll have more long-term financial security. After they break even from XIV's disaster, that is.

Edit: I have no idea how DQX did though.Wikipedia says: It was the tenth best selling game of 2012 in Japan, selling over 609,783 copies. In November 2012, Dragon Quest X exceeded 400,000 subscribers. In its first week on sale, the Wii U version of the game sold 33,302 copies, coming in as the number 6 best selling game of that period.

Which is probably...not too good, considering FFXI was at 500,000 subscibers 8 years after its release (I think it's at 200,000 or so now?)

Edit: I have no idea how DQX did though.Wikipedia says: It was the tenth best selling game of 2012 in Japan, selling over 609,783 copies. In November 2012, Dragon Quest X exceeded 400,000 subscribers. In its first week on sale, the Wii U version of the game sold 33,302 copies, coming in as the number 6 best selling game of that period.

Which is probably...not too good, considering FFXI was at 500,000 subscibers 8 years after its release (I think it's at 200,000 or so now?)

Are you comparing apples to oranges, though? DQX is Japan-only, FFXI is worldwide.

True enough. XI is also multiplatform, where DQX is restricted to Nintendo consoles. Considering the difference in longevity between the PC release and the PS2 for XI (did SE even release Alduin for PS2 in the west? The last I heard it was only PS2 release was Japan-only), I'd consider that a limiting factor for DQX's long term success as well.

I hope square folds and sells off all it's assets. Let competent people have a crack at prime gaming-beef. I'm also fed up with them blaming their western developed titles, which have sold great (for the most part), for part of their failure.

Did anyone else not even know FFXIV existed until you saw it randomly go on sale on like Steam or something one day, a year later? I know I wasn't the only person in my circle of acquaintances that did, but...

I hope square folds and sells off all it's assets. Let competent people have a crack at prime gaming-beef. I'm also fed up with them blaming their western developed titles, which have sold great (for the most part), for part of their failure.

That was poor management from their part. Wishing for them to go away is not going to fix anything either.

Did anyone else not even know FFXIV existed until you saw it randomly go on sale on like Steam or something one day, a year later? I know I wasn't the only person in my circle of acquaintances that did, but...